Helpful Resources for Moving to the US

Moving to a different country is a big process and takes quite a bit of research to make sure that it goes smoothly. The period of time that you use to research your moving arrangements should be concurrent with your application to immigrate to the United States. It’s never too early to start!

Let’s talk about some of the salient aspects of moving to the United States.

Customs and Arrival

When you actually travel to the United States you will likely not take all of your things with you right away (see Moving Companies below) you may take a plane or boat or perhaps even drive over the border. However, regardless of how you travel you will encounter immigration officials when you cross the border and customs.

The immigration officials, likely employees of USCIS, will stamp your passport and ensure that you are allowed in the country based on your documentation.

Customs will examine the things that you brought with you to ensure that you have not brought anything illegally over the border. Items that may not be accepted are fruits or vegetables, large amounts of cash, or certain other items explicitly prohibited from entry to the United States.

Changing Your Address

When you move, just like moving within your previous country, you will have to adjust your address. Here are some people that you may need to contact to let them know what your new address will be:

Friends and family.

The USCIS, ICE or CBP.

The Post Office.

Your bank.

Any magazine or newspaper companies you have subscriptions with.

Former employers.

You may find that there are more people you need to contact, but let this list be a starting point.

The format for addresses in the United States is:

Your Name

(Street Number) (Street Name) (apartment number preceded by a “#”)

(City), (State) (A five digit number called a Zip Code)

Or:

Emmy Grant

1234 Street St. #123

Cityville, Statia 12345

Moving Companies

There are a great deal of professional movers throughout the country who can help you deliver your things to your new abode in a safe and orderly fashion. Their contact information can be obtained through an online search engine or the yellow pages of a local telephone book.

You can either pack the things yourself or have the movers pack them, then your possessions are shipped to their new location and either you or the movers can unpack the items.

There are several tricks to moving such as being sure to throw out as much as you can. With less items you don’t have to pay as much to move the things and there will be much less confusion in unpacking.

Schools

During the process of moving you may first visit your new home for house scouting. During this part you may decide to get a house based on the schools located nearby for your children, or for future children.

Make sure that upon arriving to the United States you register your children to begin school. School is compulsory, meaning that they must attend until a certain age.

Home Repairs

After you have settled into your new home some you may notice that there is some light damage. Perhaps it occurred during the confusion of the mood, maybe you missed it in your first examination, or maybe you were able to broker a better deal on the property if you said you would fix it yourself.

Regardless, it probably needs to be fixed. For smaller jobs you might be able to complete the repairs with only a little help from the local hard-ware store and you can do-it-yourself. However, if the project is a little bigger, you may need to hire contractors. Contractors are professionals such as plumbers, electricians or carpenters. They are otherwise known as “builders” in Britain.

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